A culturally rich destination with stunning landscapes, thrilling adventures and world-class hospitality, Oman is nothing like its flashy Middle East neighbours. Located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, the country has managed to preserve its traditional Arab charm, and its people are polite and welcoming.
I was born and raised in Oman and now return frequently for my work with The Travel Box International. Here are some amazing experiences to include in your travel itinerary.
thrill ride
Courtesy of Alila Jabal Akhdar
Do you want to create an entry gate in your hotel? Try paragliding. Visitors to the Musandam Peninsula can arrange to climb Mount Hajar before descending Six Senses Jighi Bay (Your luggage will be safely transferred to the hotel.) Catch your breath with a welcome drink before being escorted to your beach villa.
Deal with it if you want to keep your feet on the ground or at least on steel cables via ferrataThe route starts on the side of a mountain in the Jabal Akhdar range, accessed from a private launch site. With your guide, you will cross a suspended wire bridge, cross a mountain and enjoy the natural beauty of Oman.
goat swap
In Nizwa, one of the oldest cities in Oman, you can visit the cattle market where villagers go on Friday mornings to sell and exchange goats, sheep and cows. You might be surprised how much fun it is to watch buyers and sellers haggle for livestock.
break bread
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Don’t go without eating at a local’s house: sit on the floor, roll up your sleeves and chat with Omanis who are eager to share their culture and learn about yours. In the quiet port city of Sur, you can dine with local fishermen. Or, visit the charming village of Dibba on the Musandam Peninsula to have a traditional breakfast or lunch with the Dibba Women’s Association and learn about their initiatives and causes. After breaking bread, you can further explore the village with one of the residents. All the proceeds are spent towards empowering women and their children.
hi-tech opera
The Royal Opera House Muscat is Oman’s premier venue for music and culture, and one of the most beautiful and technologically advanced opera houses in the world. At the push of a button the venue can transform from an 1,100-seat opera house to an 850-seat concert hall. The structure reflects contemporary Omani architecture and is one of the main landmarks of the city. (The Opera Galleria is also home to the city’s best fine-dining restaurant, Al Angam.)
Grand Mosque
In Muscat, you can learn more about Omani heritage at the Bait Al Zubair Museum, which displays crafts, furniture, weapons, jewelry and more. And you might want to visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. The country’s largest mosque can accommodate 20,000 worshippers.
wild hawk
Take a day trip from Muscat to visit the Dimaniyat Islands, a protected nature reserve located in the Gulf of Oman. Here, you can go bird watching to see ospreys and sooty falcons, or you can snorkel or dive to see rare coral reefs and the many sea turtles.
You’ll see even more turtles during your stay at the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve. The tortoise sanctuary combines an interactive museum with research laboratories and offers a large selection of activities for visitors.
remains top
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Consider a luxury stay in Muscat Jumeirah Muscat Bay Where you can relax in the Sanctuary Ocean Villa with a private pool and breathtaking views of the Al Hajar Mountains. St Regis Al Mouj Located next to an award-winning course designed by Greg Norman, golfers will love it. Mandarin Oriental, Muscat Meanwhile, it has a luxurious spa that offers locally inspired healing treatments.
There are also several wonderful properties in the mountainous area of Jabal Akhdar, including Alila Jabal Akhdar and Anantara Al Jabal Akhdar Resort. For a truly unique experience, visit the Sugra Heritage Inn, set on the edge of a cliff in the 500-year-old village of Sugra. Hike through the valley to your room (your luggage is transferred on a pulley system), interact with locals under the stars, dine on traditional cuisine and watch the sunset over the rugged mountains.
Mo Naubani is a member of Travel + Leisure’s A-list and specializes in one-of-a-kind adventures throughout the Middle East. You can create a customized itinerary with Nubani by contacting her monobani@travelboxinternational.com,
